Long Island Killer Targeting Craigslist Escorts, Cops Fear

Four bodies identified by Long Island police as prostitutes

By Mark Russell, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 25, 2011 4:07 AM CST | Updated Jan 25, 2011 7:06 AM CST

(Newser) – Long Island police fear they are facing a Craigslist killer, after identifying the skeletal remains of three women found dumped on a local beach last month—all were prostitutes, less than 5 feet tall, and about 100 pounds, and all three advertised on the popular classifieds site. One of the women had been missing since 2007. A fourth body found nearby was identified last week as a prostitute who had been missing since last summer.

All four were killed and dumped in a similar way, reports the New York Daily News. "I think it fits within the known definition of what a serial killer would be," says a local DA. Friends of one woman talked about how she was a kind, "beautiful-natured person," but had turned to prostitution to feed a drug habit. "That's why she probably ended up the way she did. She had no fear," a friend said. "This is really sad."

The victims of a possible Craigslist killer. From left, Melissa Barthelemy, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Megan Waterman, and Amber Lynn Costello. (AP Photo/Suffolk County Police Department)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 19 comments

Robert Karis

Jan 26, 2011 2:58 PM CST

escorts, and yes, the johns have to be careful. there are a lot of other sites besides craigslist where escorts are advertising. i've come across sites like http://secretsojourn.com and http://thetr.com these escort ad/review sites are just coming out like hotcakes.

Gabriel Haney

Jan 25, 2011 7:11 PM CST

Craigslist is terrible in sooooo many ways! There are other sites out there that are way more safer to use, like zeplike.com. Zeplike has both buyer and seller Star ratings and feedback so you know exactly who you are dealing with. Plus they do Classifieds and Auctions... Cant believe how people support CL when the company made like 45 million on sex services and trafficking? CL pretends to be humanitarians with their CL foundation, but makes millions from advertising prostitution??? People need to wake up!Only way these sites will disappear or will become safer is when people stop supporting them!

Fascist_Jack

Jan 25, 2011 7:04 AM CST

Wouldn't have happened if prostitution were legal, which it should be. Just one of many downsides to living under Christian law.

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Long Island Killer Targeting Craigslist Escorts, Cops Fear

Four bodies identified by Long Island police as prostitutes

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prostitution • Craigslist • Long Island • serial killers • Craigslist killer • Long Island serial killer

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